The Kapil Dev-led team was a complete underdog in the tournament, but the way they shut down the noise and scripted a story that culminated in them lifting the coveted trophy at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ – Lord’s – took the world by storm. sent in one frenzy
In more ways than one, this victory was a huge watershed moment for Indian cricket and the Indian game as a whole.
India defeated two-time world champions, the mighty West Indies, to win their maiden title in the epic final. Posting just 183 on the board, the Indian bowlers bundled out West Indies’ innings for 140 runs, winning 43 runs and claiming the title.
The first Windies wicket to fall in that unforgettable final was that of the great Gordon Greenidge. The bowler was Balwinder Singh Sandhu. The ball pitched well outside the off-stump and went inside. Greenidge was trying to release the ball and it hit his off-stump. Greenidge had to walk back for 1 and the Windies went down 5-1.
(AFP photo)
“It was an epic final. We believed in ourselves. A lot of talk happened before the final. I claimed the big wicket of Gordon Greenidge. It will always be a memorable one for me,” Balwinder Sandhu Talking to TimesofIndia.com and recalling that epic finale said.
Madan Lal, fondly called ‘Maddi Pa’ by his teammate and his then captain Kapil DevTook three wickets in the final. He dismissed Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, and Larry Gomes in the summit clash.
According to Madan Lalu, the pressure was on West Indies which were chasing their third title in a row.
“There was no pressure on us. We didn’t go as favourites. Nobody believed in us. But we had faith in our abilities. We took it one match at a time. The players were accused of the above. When we reached the final, we thought we had done our job, but Kapil’s words after scoring 183 got us excited. We gave our all in the final and fought for every single run. Winning the final was our goal. In the final, everything went in our favour. We fought against all odds. We fell, but we got up and started again – that was our approach in the 1983 World Cup,” said Madan Lal Told TimesofIndia.com.
(AFP photo)
“For us, the Windies were the best and the top team. They had already won two World Cup titles. The pressure was on West Indies to win the World Cup for the third time, not on us. We played our game and believed in ourselves. We were without anyone. Played under pressure as lakhs of fans were supporting us. They were performing ‘havan’ etc. to support us. There is a saying that ‘when medicine doesn’t work, then dua works’. We are thankful to all of us. The fans believed in us, cheered for us, and supported us. Country first, it was the passion and enthusiasm of all of us,” said Lal, who scored 17 runs and figures of 3-31 with the ball in the 1983 World Cup final. were further explained.
Kapil’s Majestic 175 vs Zimbabwe
For Balwinder, Mohinder Amarnath (man of the match in semis vs England and final vs West Indies) dismissed Michael Holding to seal the deal for India and captain Kapil lifting the trophy will always be an unforgettable moment for him.
“Kapil Dev picking up the cup. It was a magical moment for me. I still feel that moment. Whenever I remember that moment, my goose bumps go up. No one believed us but We believed in ourselves. My favorite match was the Zimbabwe game and I will never forget that match. It was the toughest game for us. We were down and out. But Kapil Dev made sure we held our heads high. He us Brought it back into the game. He played a brilliant innings of 175,” Balwinder Sandhu told TimesofIndia.com.
(Photo by Eamon M. McCormack / Getty Images for the Red Sea International Film Festival)
The match vs Zimbabwe was extremely important for India’s victory. He found himself at 17-5, with his back against the wall.
“We were down to 5 but it was Kapil who gave us great hope. He single-handedly won the match for us. We were just clapping and shouting from the dressing room,” said Sandhu.
175* vs Zimbabwe actually remained Kapil Dev’s highest ODI score. Unfortunately there is no footage of that match as the BBC was on strike that day.
Viv Richards wicket in the final
Meanwhile, Madan Lal also recalled how he and Kapil conspired to take revenge against Viv Richards in the final. After Madan is thrashed by Richards, Kapil decides to bring someone else into the attack. Madan took revenge on his mind and he ran to Kapil and asked for one more over. Kapil refuses but Madan manages to convince him. And, the bowler worked for his team by sending the dangerous Richards back to the pavilion. It was Kapil Dev who took a brilliant catch running backwards off Madan Lal.
“Every player has their own style of play and everyone has confidence in their abilities. We were all calm and calculated and we waited for the opponent to make a mistake. I was hit for a boundary by Viv Richards. I wanted to I bowled again and wanted to give it back. I told Kapil that I want to bowl again and try something else. He was not ready but I managed to convince him. These things will never happen in your life. Sometimes it happens. I asked for one more over. It was not that I was not bowling well, I was bowling well,” Madan Lal recalled.
“Viv was such a great player and was hitting us all over the ground. Kapil looked me in the eye and gave me the next over. He showed faith in me and I didn’t let him down and took Viv’s wicket. It was not Madan. Lal Mohinder Amarnath, or any other player, it was an absolute team effort that led India to win the World Cup. Every single member of our team was a star,” Madan Lal further told TimesofIndia.com.
‘Kapil will always be our captain’
Leading from the front, making his team believe that he was not the underdog, hungry for victory, and being a guiding force, Kapil was a real hero to his teammates.
“Kapil Dev will always be my captain. He is our captain forever. Because Kapil is a spontaneous captain and he led from the front. His hunger for victory never died. We were ready to die for him on the field. He This was the kind of commitment I had for him. I have so much love and affection for him. Even now, I say I would do anything for him. He once told me that I hate to lose He said fight till my last breath. I will always have love, respect and affection for him. I also want to give credit to Sunil (Gavaskar). He let me grow as a cricketer. He made me a cricketer. Gave freedom to explore and grow. Both Kapil and Sunil had different captaincy styles. But I enjoyed playing under both. Sunil let me grow as a cricketer and Kapil taught me to starve to win, Balwinder Sandhu told TimesofIndia.com.
“Kapil is the best all-rounder any country has produced. He has checked every box – bowling, batting or fielding. You cannot compare Kapil Dev to anyone in the world. Sunil Gavaskar I am by far the best batsman in the world. Similarly, Kapil is the best all-rounder in the world. I have seen great batsmen but no one is close to Sunil Gavaskar. Both Gavaskar and Kapil were wonderful, skill-wise and determined-wise. He used to hoist the Indian flag high all the time. Certainly, he (Kapil) will always be my captain,” Madan Lal told TimesofIndia.com.
champagne bottles
We have heard many stories about the 1983 World Cup final. One of them is about champagne bottles and how they were all kept in the dressing room of West Indies as everyone expected Windies to win the final vs India. For most people it was just a formality.
“It’s true. Whenever a team won a match, one of their members would carry bottles of champagne. I wanted a picture of myself with a bottle of champagne (laughs). So I went and grabbed them. It’s hot There was champagne and I grabbed it with great enthusiasm. I accidentally opened it. Kapil Dev and my other teammates looked at me angrily. I said sorry to them. They laughed again.” Madan Lal further told TimesofIndia.com.
1983 Golden Journey now a movie
The golden journey of the 1983 World Cup team has also been turned into a film. Ranveer singh Playing the role of Kapil Dev and directed by Kabir Khan.
“It’s a proud moment for all of us 1983 World Cup winning players that someone has made a film on our achievement. We all have achieved the glory of 1983 as a team. And the way Kabir Khan did. has brought our glory, achievement and performance. Balwinder Sandhu said, “The hard work we put in is just amazing. I have seen the film. It is fantastic.”
(AFP photo)
“Kabir Khan has made an amazing film. Ranveer as Kapil Dev is just amazing. He made sure he gets everyone’s love. All the actors have done a wonderful job. They all really took our features. Worked hard. How we used to play, walk, talk, carry, dressing sense, all the actors have done a great job. For those who were not born at that time, it’s a historic moment again It’s an opportunity to live from. It’s inspiring,” Madan Lal added.
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